Emerald crab that doesn't eat bubble algae. what to do?

[jmanz]

bought an emerald crab in anticipation that he would knock out the bubble algae in the tank. instead he just eats other stuff off the rocks and ignores the bubbles. after reading several messages on this board it seems uncommon behavior.

anyone have any ideas? maybe he isn't a emerald and you have pointers on identifiers.

 

[triggakilla]

Mine won't touch it either and I doubt it's anything unusual ...just because they can eat it doesn't mean they will. I have some bubble algae in my tank but it's easy to pick off with my fingers...it's not difficult to remove because the bubbles are quite sturdy . Don't be afraid that you will bust them and spread the algae.

 

[4angel]

I have had some trouble with a bubble algae out break as a result of rupturing one or two trying to remove. I took out individual pieces of rock and scrubbed them It doesn't completely solve this problem but I don't really think anything does. As far as the crab is concerned I wouldnt worry so long as its not nipping on any coral. Jam were in NY send me a PM.
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[Minh Nguyen]

Nutrient problem is the root of the Bubble Algae. IME, the only way to take care of the problem is nutrient control. Biological control works but only if you don't have too much nutrients. I occasionally have the large bubble algae (1+ inches in diameter). I just poke it with a sharp stick when I see it. My tangs do the rest.
If you have the small bubble variety, various fish and crab can do the work but only if the nutrient level is low.
Minh

 

[danmhippo]

Emerald crab is one of those hit or miss. If there are plenty of other things to eat in the tank, Emerald crab may not attack on your algae readily.

 

[Lockart]

I agree that the emerald is hit or miss and in my experience mostly miss. Also I had one that got petty big and then I caught him chowing on my leather coral so I moved him to my FO tank. Personnally I have started avoiding all crabs.

 

[Anonymous]

My 80gal is 19 months old. Seemed like there was bubble algae from day 1. It wasn't real bad, I just picked them off with tweezers. I've noticed that since I went to a RO/DI unit instead of just DI, it's totally gone. That was 4 months ago. I also upgraded my skimmer about 6 months ago as well. Now I'm working on getting rid of the red turf algae.

Regards, Eric

 

[4angel]

Hay gotta know what type of skimmer did you go from and upgraded to.?
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[skylsdale]

That's what y'all get for putting your trust is some shifty crustacean. :evil:

I am convinced that crabs are the least trustworthy of any marine animal, and from the setup of my next system, they will never intentionally be included, be it hermits, mithrax, or the abominable(yet for some reason loved) Sally Lightfoot.